Magellan International School Adds Innovative Design Thinking Program to its International Baccalaureate Curriculum

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The Magellan International School, an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Central Austin, has announced the addition of design thinking and makerspace programming, the creation of a new i.Lab for Design + Making, and adding several strategic members to the school’s academic team to support the program.

Magellan Students Making

Austin is an entrepreneur’s town with a culture of innovation. Magellan's innovation and design program further aligns the school’s mission with Austin’s character and business culture. - Scott Francis, CEO of BP3 Global

Austin, TX (PRWEB)August 31, 2017

The Magellan International School, an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Central Austin, has announced the addition of design thinking and makerspace programming, the creation of a new i.Lab for Design + Making, and adding several strategic members to the school’s academic team to support the program. The innovative program and staff additions come as the school continues to enhance its strong academic program and prepare its students for careers and entrepreneurism in Austin and beyond.

“Building a design thinking program and the i.Lab for Design + Making at The Magellan International School will enhance and enrich the IB educational experience by giving students the opportunity to build, re-design, and tinker with a variety of materials,” shared Head of School, Marisa Leon. “We are excited for our students as they learn and develop new tools and technologies. Through this program, they will be more prepared to navigate uncertainty, think collaboratively, become more adaptable and develop multiple perspectives in decision-making.”

Throughout the summer, Magellan was building out the i.Lab for Design + Making at its flagship campus serving students in Kindergarten through 8th grade as well as providing mobile makerspaces for all preschool students. Faculty have participated in workshops on design thinking - an innovative combination of creative and analytical approaches to problem solving across disciplines - at both The University of Texas at Austin this spring and through the Henry Ford Learning Institute this summer to ensure deep competency across the entire school.

“Austin is an entrepreneur’s town with a culture of innovation,” shared Scott Francis, President of Magellan’s Board of Directors and CEO of BP3 Global. “Our community’s emphasis on arts and technology has long inspired great design, technology, events, and startups. Magellan's innovation and design program further aligns the school’s mission with Austin’s character and business culture. Our student’s ability to design and innovate will shape our city’s and our country’s future!”

Joining the Magellan International School faculty to lead the integration of design thinking and maker projects across the curriculum is:
Patrick Benfield - Innovation Director
Andrea Norman - Information & Digital Literacy and STEM Teacher

“Magellan, with its incredible sense of identity and community, is an ideal environment for innovation and I’m so glad to be a part of the school’s journey,” said Patrick Benfield. “Maker-centered learning empowers students to shape their world in meaningful ways, and is the perfect complement to the school’s culture.”

About The Magellan International School
The Magellan International School is an independent, not-­‐for-­‐profit school educating students in preschool through 8th Grade. The School prepares students for a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world while inspiring creative thinking, passion and purposeful action. Magellan features the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program curriculum with immersion language learning in English and Spanish and instruction in Mandarin during the elementary years. Magellan's middle school offers the IB Middle Years Program and is open to students regardless of prior foreign language experience. For more information visit http://www.magellanschool.org.

Magellan International School Media Contact
Christen Wilson, Director of Advancement and Marketing, Christen.Wilson(at)magellanschool(dot)org.

About the International Baccalaureate Organization
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is a non-­‐profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission, focused on the student. The IBO’s three programs for students aged 3 to 19 help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Founded in 1968, IBO currently works with 3,019 schools in 139 countries to develop and offer three challenging programs to over 845,000 students aged 3 to 19 years. To learn more about the International Baccalaureate Organization, visit http://www.ibo.org. Information about the Texas International Baccalaureate Schools Organization can be found at http://www.texasibschools.org.